'Real deal': Kiwi UFC star claims biggest win of career so far

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Author: Christopher Reive ,
Publish Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2026, 2:40pm

Navajo Stirling beat Ion Cutelaba by second-round TKO. Photo / Getty Images

Get taken down five times, get back up six.

In doing so, Kiwi UFC light heavyweight Navajo Stirling claimed the biggest win of his mixed martial arts career to date.

The 28-year-old kept his undefeated record intact with a second-round TKO win over seasoned veteran Ion Cutelaba, having to overcome plenty of adversity to get the win.

It was a step up in opponent for the Kiwi in his fifth bout with the UFC.

Cutelaba has been plying his trade in the UFC for the last decade, largely operating as a gatekeeper to the upper echelon of the division. For fighters wanting to get a shot at the light heavyweight rankings, Cutelaba is likely to feature on their radar on the way.

Calling Cutelaba out after his most recent win, Stirling got the test he was looking for.

The Moldovan was able to work his grappling early, looking to have a good guillotine choke all but locked in within 90 seconds of the opening bell.

Stirling showed patience and composure, however, fending off a number of submission attempts and working his way back to his feet where he was able to let his hands go.

But after an evenly poised opening round, Stirling simply outlasted Cutelaba.

Midway through the second round, Cutelaba scored a takedown but was unable to keep Stirling down. As the Kiwi got to his feet, Cutelaba remained seated on the canvas, covering up with his back to the cage.

Stirling got straight to work with a barrage of punches, ultimately forcing the referee to end the fight.

“I told everyone that I was the next big thing. They all thought I was all s***, but they can come and fraud check deez nuts because I am the f***ing real deal,” Stirling said in his post-fight interview.

“I can scramble my ass off. I do it all the time at the gym so I know, no matter what, I’m not afraid to get taken down because I’m going to get back up. He had some good submission attempts but I just had to stay strong and keep tight.

“I knew I was going to get on top. I wrestle all the time. These ears aren’t painted on. I wrestle all the time so I had to show everyone.”

Now 5-0 in the UFC with finishes in his last two appearances, Stirling looks settled on the biggest stage in mixed martial arts and said he hoped to get back to work in October.

“Honestly the division’s all over the place. I don’t care who it is, I just want to fight. Maybe October next. It could be anyone; [Alonzo] Menifield, [Mingyang] Zhang, [Dustin] Jacoby, anyone.

“Those are the guys I’m thinking are around my level so we’ll see what the UFC want to do and what my team want to do but just know I want to get back in there.”

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.